Pocket folding stool



July 17, 1928. 1,677,339

' T. N: HANSEN POCKET I'FOLDING STOOL Filed Dec. 15, 1926 4 INVENTOR Theodore M Hansen ATTORNE Patented July 17, 1928. I

UNETEEE' tenses ear-ant series.

THEODORE N. HANSEN, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

POCKET FOLDING- STOOL.

Application filed December 15, 1926. Serial No. 154,933.

braces together with means for strengthen" ing same when in the set-up position.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of the novel construction, adaptation, combination and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed. These objects are accomplished by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein v Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the stool in the setup position;

Fig. 2 is a view in transverse vertical section of same;

Fig. 8 is a view in longitudinal vertical section;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the stool in a completely folded position within the casing which is shown in section; and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of same in the folded position with the casing removed.

Referring to the drawings throughout which like reference numerals designate like u parts, the numeral 5 indicates the seat of the stool that is preferably made of relatively thin metal and in rectangular oblong shape. Depending lugs 6, 7, 8 and 9 are secured to said seat in any suitable manner. Referring to Figs. 1 and 5 it will be noted that the lugs 6 and 7 are spaced alittle further apart than are the lugs 8 and '9. Each of said lugs is provided with a slot 10 that is in the shape of an inverted keyhole having an enlarged round portion and a reduced rectangular portion for reasons presently ap parent.

The four legs of the stool each comprise upper sections 11, middle sections 12, and lower sections 13, all of which are preferably made of metal and square in cross section. The upper end portions of each of the upper sections are provided with a short stud bolt 14 fixedly secured theretoand pro vided with short square shanks and large heads. Said square shanks may be pushed upwardly into the rectangular portions of the slots 19 and held there by hooks 15 pivotally secured to the lugs to hold the legs securely in place when the stool is in the set-up position as will be readily understood. r I

The leg sections 11 are each connected to the sect1ons'12 by short links. 16 pivoted at each end to said sections, and likewise the sections 12 are connected to the sections 13 l y short links 17 pivoted at each end to said sections. Said links lit in slots provided in the ends of said sections and are flush there with when the legs are in the set-up position. Sleeves 18 resting on pins 19 are adapted to fit said sections snugly and are arranged to slidab'ly enclose the joints formed by the links 16, while'similar sleeves 20 resting on pins 21 enclose the joints of the links 17.

In order to hold the four legs of the stool in proper slantwise spaced relation in the set-up position I have provided four novel braces in the form of the letter K. Said braces each comprise members 22, 23, 24

and 25 having their inner'ends pivotally connected at 26. Each of the members 22 is pivoted to the lower leg sections 13 at 27 and the outer ends of the other three members are each provided with a slot 28 adapted to engage a pin 29 in said sections to hold the legs in rigid position as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Assuming that the stool is in the set-up position as shown inFig. 1, in order to fold same it is turned bottom upwards with the seat 5 resting on the floor. The sleeves 18 will drop by gravity against the lugs 6, 7, 8 and 9, while the sleeves 20 will slidably rest against the pins 19thus freeing the joints at 16 and 17. Each of the four K-braces is then pivot/ally folded together against their respective-members 22 which is then folded against the leg sections 13 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The hooks 15 are then disengaged and the square shanks of the bolts 14 are slipped into the round portions of the slots 10 so that they may turn freely,

It will now be obvious that the three sections of the four legs may be folded together 1n zigzag fashion and rest on the bottom of the seat 5. As hereinbefore men tioned the lug 6 is disposed in offset relation with the lug 8 so that the sectionsand braces that are collectivelypivoted to the former lug may rest alongside those pivoted to the latter lug thereby taking up less space. The

same, of course, may be said. of the other two legs that are pivoted to the lugs 7 and 9.

The disposition of the legs in the folded position is substantially as shown in Fig. although the device is not limited to the exact positions shown.

For the purpose of carrying the stool in the pocket I have provided a case 30 having a hinged door 31 at one end and provided with a flange 32 around its bottom.

The seat 5 of the stool may he slipped into said casing; with said flange engaging its edges-and said door closed with a spring clasp 33 snapped nto a slot 34 1n said. seat. I usually provide a longitudinal partition 35 for said casing, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 4 and its position indicated by dotted "lines in Fig. 5. Said partition divides the casing'into two equal compartments and prevents the leg seetons from interfering with ing three foldable sections pivotally con nected, slidable sleeves adapted to hold said sections in rigid set-up position, the uppermost ofsaid sections having square bolts adapted to fit snugly within the upper rectangular portions of said keyhole slots in the setup position, means for locking said bolts in said rectangular slot portions, said bolts adapted to be shifted to pivotal disposition within the lower round portionsojt said slots, four K-braces each comprising i'our pivotally connected members, the end otone member pivotally secured tothe lowers of said leg sections, means ior .astening the ends of the other three brace members to the two adjoining lowermost leg sections in the t-up position, each of said adapted to be against its associated leg section, a casing for the stool in its folded position, and the seat arranged to serve as the bottom of the casing in the folded position. I

In witness whereof, 1 hereunto subscribe my name this 9th day ot-December A. D.

' THEODORE N. HANSEN.

of each of said K-braces.

st of each 1 K-braees. folded in compact alignn'ient 

